Orbital ATK

Orbital ATK Inc. was an American aerospace manufacturer and defense company that operated from 2015 until its acquisition by Northrop Grumman in 2018. It was created through the combination of Orbital Sciences Corporation and selected aerospace and defense operations of Alliant Techsystems, commonly known as ATK. The transaction brought together Orbital’s experience in launch vehicles, satellites, spacecraft, and space systems with ATK’s capabilities in solid rocket propulsion, ammunition, weapons, military structures, and defense electronics. The merger was announced on April 29, 2014, and completed on February 9, 2015. The two companies had previously worked together on launch programs, including the use of ATK rocket motors in Orbital launch vehicles. ATK’s sporting-goods business was separated at the time of the transaction and became Vista Outdoor, leaving the combined Orbital ATK focused on aerospace, defense, and related government and commercial programs. Orbital ATK organized its activities into three principal groups. The Flight Systems Group developed and operated launch vehicles, solid-propulsion systems, and aerospace structures. Its portfolio included the Pegasus air-launched rocket, the Antares medium-lift launch vehicle, the Minotaur family, and the Minotaur-C. The group also operated the Stargazer Lockheed L-1011 aircraft, which served as the carrier aircraft for Pegasus air launches and supported certain test activities. Orbital ATK also worked on OmegA, a proposed medium- to heavy-lift rocket that was later cancelled after the company became part of Northrop Grumman. The Space Systems Group supplied satellites for commercial, civil, scientific, and national-security customers. Its work included communications satellites, Earth-observation and environmental spacecraft, scientific missions, and the Cygnus automated cargo spacecraft used to transport supplies to the International Space Station. Space-related programs associated with the company included spacecraft and missions such as Landsat 9, JPSS-2, ICESat-2, TESS, the Ionospheric Connection Explorer, Dawn, and commercial communications satellites including Al Yah 3, HYLAS-4, and SES-16. The Defense Systems Group produced tactical missiles, defense electronics, medium- and large-caliber ammunition, missile fuzes and warheads, propellants, powders, and precision metal and composite structures. Its portfolio also included load, assembly, and pack operations for medium-caliber ammunition and specialized munitions such as the Mk310 programmable air-burst munition round for the MK44 cannon. The group was also associated with the XM25 counter-defilade target engagement airburst grenade launcher program. Northrop Grumman announced its intention to acquire Orbital ATK on September 18, 2017. Shareholders approved the transaction on November 29, 2017. Following regulatory approval with conditions from the Federal Trade Commission, the acquisition closed on June 6, 2018. Orbital ATK was renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and ceased to exist as an independent corporate identity. Northrop Grumman later reorganized its businesses effective January 1, 2020, distributing most of the former Orbital ATK activities into its Space Systems and Defense Systems sectors.

Orbital ATK was established on February 9, 2015, through the merger of Orbital Sciences Corporation with the aerospace and defense operations of Alliant Techsystems. The combination joined two businesses with complementary technical profiles. Orbital Sciences had developed launch vehicles, satellites, spacecraft, and space-based systems, while ATK brought extensive expertise in solid rocket propulsion, military ammunition, weapons, defense electronics, and aerospace structures. Their earlier cooperation included the supply and integration of ATK rocket motors for Orbital launch vehicles, providing a technical and commercial foundation for the merger. The transaction was announced on April 29, 2014. When it closed, ATK’s sporting-goods activities were separated from the aerospace and defense operations and became Vista Outdoor. The resulting Orbital ATK focused on government and commercial aerospace, defense production, space transportation, satellite systems, and munitions. The company’s Flight Systems Group was responsible for launch vehicles, solid propulsion, and aerostructures. Its launch portfolio included Pegasus, an air-launched small-lift rocket; Antares, a medium-lift vehicle; and the Minotaur family, which served a range of small- and medium-lift missions. Orbital ATK also operated Stargazer, a modified Lockheed L-1011 aircraft used to carry Pegasus rockets before air launch. The company developed multiple propulsion products, including GEM and Castor solid rocket motors, and contributed solid rocket booster technology to the Space Launch System. OmegA was proposed as a new medium- to heavy-lift launcher, but the program was subsequently cancelled after the Northrop Grumman acquisition. The Space Systems Group produced spacecraft and satellites for commercial communications, civil science, environmental monitoring, and security customers. Its work included the Cygnus automated cargo spacecraft, which supplied the International Space Station, as well as spacecraft and missions associated with Earth observation, weather monitoring, planetary science, astrophysics, and space-based research. The group’s cited programs included Landsat 9, JPSS-2, ICESat-2, TESS, the Ionospheric Connection Explorer, and the Dawn probe, alongside communications satellites such as Al Yah 3, HYLAS-4, and SES-16. The Defense Systems Group extended the company into tactical missiles, defense electronics, warheads, fuzes, propellants, ammunition, and precision structures. It manufactured or supported medium- and large-caliber munitions, performed load, assembly, and pack operations, and supplied metal and composite structures for military aircraft, ground vehicles, missile systems, and ammunition. The Mk310 programmable airburst munition round for the MK44 cannon and the XM25 airburst grenade launcher were among the systems associated with the company’s defense portfolio. On September 18, 2017, Northrop Grumman announced its plan to purchase Orbital ATK. Shareholders approved the transaction on November 29, 2017. The Federal Trade Commission approved the acquisition with conditions on June 5, 2018, and the deal closed the following day. Orbital ATK was renamed Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems and no longer operated as an independent company. Northrop Grumman’s reorganization effective January 1, 2020, subsequently divided most of the former Orbital ATK operations between its Space Systems and Defense Systems sectors.

• 2020

  Operations integrated into Northrop Grumman sectors

  [1]Orbital ATKen.wikipedia.org

  Northrop Grumman reorganized Innovation Systems, placing most former Orbital ATK activities into its Space Systems and Defense Systems organizations.

• 2018

  Acquisition closes and company is renamed

  [1]Orbital ATKen.wikipedia.org

  Regulatory approval was followed by completion of the acquisition on June 6. The business became Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

• 2017

  Northrop Grumman announces acquisition plan

  [1]Orbital ATKen.wikipedia.org

  Northrop Grumman announced a planned acquisition of Orbital ATK involving cash consideration and assumption of debt.

• 2017

  Shareholders approve acquisition

  [1]Orbital ATKen.wikipedia.org

  Orbital ATK shareholders approved Northrop Grumman’s proposed purchase on November 29.

• 2015

  Orbital ATK is formed

  [1]Orbital ATKen.wikipedia.org

  The merger closed on February 9, creating Orbital ATK. ATK’s sporting-goods business was separated into Vista Outdoor.

• 2014

  Merger agreement announced

  [1]Orbital ATKen.wikipedia.org

  Orbital Sciences Corporation and the aerospace and defense businesses of Alliant Techsystems announced plans to combine their operations.

An integrated aerospace and defense supplier combining launch services, spacecraft, satellite systems, solid rocket propulsion, precision munitions, and military systems for government and commercial customers.

• Launch vehicle

  Antares

  A two- or three-stage expendable medium-lift launch vehicle associated with Orbital ATK’s Flight Systems Group. Antares used the company’s solid-propulsion and launch-system capabilities and supported missions involving cargo and other payloads.

• Air-launched rocket

  Pegasus

  A four-stage small-lift launch vehicle released from the Stargazer Lockheed L-1011 aircraft. The air-launch architecture allowed payloads to be deployed after release from an aircraft rather than from a conventional ground launch pad.

• Expendable launch vehicle

  Minotaur family

  A family of solid-propellant launch vehicles that included Minotaur I, Minotaur IV, Minotaur V, and Minotaur VI. The vehicles were designed for different payload classes and orbital destinations, including small-lift missions and higher-energy transfer or translunar trajectories.

• Cargo spacecraft

  Cygnus

  An automated spacecraft designed to deliver cargo and supplies to the International Space Station. Cygnus was a central part of Orbital ATK’s space transportation and commercial cargo activities.

• Rocket propulsion

  GEM solid rocket motors

  A family of strap-on solid rocket motors that included GEM-40, GEM-60, GEM-63, and GEM-63XL variants. The motors were used or developed for launch vehicles including Delta II, Delta IV, Atlas V, and Vulcan-related systems.

• Space launch propulsion

  Space Launch System solid rocket booster

  A large solid rocket booster system derived from Space Shuttle booster technology and used in the development of NASA’s Space Launch System. It represented Orbital ATK’s role in major government space transportation programs.

• Satellite systems

  Commercial and civil satellites

  Orbital ATK designed and produced satellites for commercial communications, environmental observation, weather, scientific research, and national-security purposes. Associated programs included Al Yah 3, HYLAS-4, SES-16, Landsat 9, JPSS-2, ICESat-2, TESS, and the Ionospheric Connection Explorer.

• Military ammunition

  Mk310 programmable airburst munition

  A programmable airburst round for the MK44 cannon. It formed part of Orbital ATK’s medium-caliber ammunition and precision-munitions portfolio.

• Airburst grenade launcher

  XM25 CDTE

  An airburst grenade launcher associated with Orbital ATK’s defense systems activities. The program reflected the company’s work in programmable munitions and infantry-oriented counter-defilade systems.

• Launch vehicle program

  OmegA

  A proposed medium- to heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by Orbital ATK’s Flight Systems organization. The program was later cancelled after the company’s acquisition by Northrop Grumman.

• 2020

  Integrate Innovation Systems into Northrop Grumman’s sector structureStrategy

  Background

  Northrop Grumman reorganized its business divisions after acquiring Orbital ATK and operating the former company as Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

  Action taken

  Effective January 1, 2020, the Innovation Systems organization was divided, with most former Orbital ATK activities moving into Space Systems and Defense Systems.

  Aftermath

  The Orbital ATK and Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems identities were replaced by Northrop Grumman’s broader operating-sector structure.

  Source

• 2017

  Accept Northrop Grumman acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Northrop Grumman sought to acquire Orbital ATK to expand its aerospace and defense capabilities, including launch systems, spacecraft, propulsion, and munitions.

  Action taken

  Northrop Grumman announced the purchase plan on September 18, 2017. Orbital ATK shareholders approved it on November 29, and regulators later cleared the transaction with conditions.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition closed on June 6, 2018, ending Orbital ATK’s independent corporate existence and creating Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.

  Announced transaction consideration. US$7.8 billion in cash plus assumption of US$1.4 billion in debt (Announcement in 2017)

  Source

• 2015

  Complete the Orbital Sciences–ATK combinationM&A

  Background

  Orbital Sciences and ATK had complementary launch, propulsion, satellite, defense, and munitions capabilities and had previously collaborated on rocket programs.

  Action taken

  The companies completed their combination on February 9, 2015, creating Orbital ATK. ATK’s sporting-goods operations were separated into Vista Outdoor.

  Aftermath

  The combined company operated as an integrated aerospace and defense supplier until its later acquisition by Northrop Grumman.

  Source

1. 1Orbital ATKen.wikipedia.org